Cerritos to consider banning sex offenders from city parks

At Thursday night's meeting, the City Council will discuss two possible ordinances that would ban registered sex offenders from entering, loitering in or using a city park. One ordinance would apply only to registered sex offenders convicted of sex acts involving minors, and the other one would apply to all registered sex offenders.

After studying the issue at its Jan. 18 meeting, the Community Safety Committee recommended to the council an ordinance that only restricts registered sex offenders convicted of sex acts involving minors.

Committee members were concerned a broader ordinance might be vulnerable to a lawsuit, according to staff reports.

However, at its Feb. 2 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended to the council an ordinance that would ban all registered sex offenders from entering city parks.

About 26 registered sex offenders live in Cerritos, according to staff reports.

Staff said the proposed ordinance was prompted by actions taken in other cities.

In October, Los Alamitos passed an ordinance setting up "child safety zones" that ban sex offenders from city parks and playgrounds.

Los Alamitos modeled its law after a similar law passed by the Orange County Board of Supervisors, adopted nearly a year ago. The county ordinance makes it a misdemeanor for a registered sex offender to enter - without permission of the Sheriff's Department - county recreational areas where children regularly gather.

In other business Thursday, the Cerritos council will consider approval of a design services contract to update the facilities at Cerritos Park East, 13234 E. 166th St.

The work, estimated to cost from $280,000 to $325,000, includes a renovated restroom, replacement of outdated audio and visual equipment, and removal and replacement of kitchen counter tops and ceiling tiles in the dance room.

The entire project will be funded by the Los Angeles Parks and Open Space District. The design concept should be finalized by the end of June.